This volume provides the first rigorous assessment of the research relating to the disclosure of childhood sexual abuse, along with the practical and policy implications of the findings. Leading researchers and practitioners from diverse and international backgrounds offer critical commentary on these previously unpublished findings gathered from both field and laboratory research. Cross-cultural, clinical, and multi-disciplinary perspectives are provided. The goal is to learn more about why children frequently remain silent about their abuse, deny it, or if they do disclose, do so belatedly and incompletely, often recanting their allegations over time. The book opens with a close examination of the existing literature on disclosure and the difficulties in conducting such research. It then examines the individual and contextual factors that determine whether, when, and how childhood sexual abuse is disclosed. This portion reviews how the interview techniques have a profound impact on disclosure patterns. Details of how reluctant children are interviewed are included. The third section examines the broader implications of disclosure for the child, family and peers, and for the suspect. "Child Sexual Abuse" examines how the interview strategies influence how, when, or if children disclose abuse, by examining both domestic and international data and by analyzing detailed interviews with children. "Child Sexual Abuse" is intended for researchers and practitioners from child, forensic, and clinical psychology, social work, and all legal professionals who need to understand this crime.

Reviews

"The editors are world renowned for their research and writings on child forensic interviews. They have assembled a group of international experts on disclosure... Readers will learn about the latest research advances as well as how to tackle relevant legal, policy, and professional dilemmas. Anyone who cares about child protection ... will find this volume invaluable...this book helps us learn how and when to listen to children." -- Gail S. Goodman, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, University of California, Davis and Tina Goodman Brown, in private practice, from the book's Foreword "Law and Psychology have not been able to fully coalesce and work together in the interests of the children rather than in the interests of the respective discourse. This book provides the empirical evidence to overcome any remaining inertia and shows that where there is a genuine will there are ways to successfully challenge such divisions." - Kim Stevenson, Plymouth University, UK "This book should be at hand for all practitioners in the field of child welfare who need to understand this crime. It is an invaluable resource." Peter Reeften, Addiction Today "In summary, Child Sexual Abuse: Disclosure, Delay, and Denial offers one of the most comprehensive reviews of literature in this area and presents important new research findings [...] This book is a must read for anyone directly involved with victims of child sexual abuse and can be very effective in disseminating important information about child interviewing to mental health practitioners." April R. Bradley & Holly M. Rusinko, PsycCRITIQUES